Silent Films and Radio

[salus]

When Radio started in 1922 did it have any detrimental influence on silent films as TV did to the film industry in the 1950s?

[wich2]

I believe so, yes.

So much so, that theaters later wired their house for radio, so audience members wouldn't stay home to listen to AMOS & ANDY.

-Craig

[Tommie Hicks]

I am of the opinion that it was the influence of radio, not the arrival of sound film technology, that drove the transition of silent to sound films. I believe for a while silent films were preferred over the early sound novelties, but the emergence of radio stars, singers and wise cracking comedians, gave the movie going public a desire and demand for sound motion pictures.

[bobfells]

This photo shows George Arliss broadcasting from a Massachusetts station in 1922. A newspaper story quoted his comments that were against censorship in the movies:

[wich2]

Buster appeared on SHELL CHATEAU in 1936 (I was happy to locate a copy for the Damfinos a few years back.)

And Lloyd hosted a comedy show in 1944:

https://archive.org/details/OTRR_Old_Go ... er_Singles" target="_blank

-Craig

[telical]

I believe Will Rogers did some of these on the radio. It's listed
as songs but it's talks.

https://archive.org/details/WillRogers18Songs" target="_blank

[Smari1989]

No doubt about it. After all, prior to the radio, what else was there of entertainment that could be enjoyed at home that demanded so little active participation from the ones wishing to be entertained? Other than the Sunday Funnies.

Even so, it's hard not to chuckle a bit, perhaps unfairly so, when one reads about newspaper-men of the 1910s/20s being seriously worried that the radio would kill their business, in this age of the Internet.

[wich2]

prior to the radio, what else was there of entertainment that could be enjoyed at home that demanded so little active participation from the ones wishing to be entertained?

I'd quibble with your wording there, Smari.

In one sense, the Theater of the Imagination requires MORE participation from its audience than other media. As with literature, YOU must create the visuals.

-Craig

[Smari1989]

prior to the radio, what else was there of entertainment that could be enjoyed at home that demanded so little active participation from the ones wishing to be entertained?

I'd quibble with your wording there, Smari.

In one sense, the Theater of the Imagination requires MORE participation from its audience than other media. As with literature, YOU must create the visuals.

-Craig

You have a definite point there. Perhaps I was a bit unclear with my use of the word "participation." What I rather meant, I think, was physical participation -- you just had to push a button, and a program turned up. Unlike, say, playing cards or marbles. Or holding up a book to read it.

[wich2]

...or going to the theater.

Got it!

-Craig